Mindfulness with Animals

Animal- and equine-facilitated experiential learning, combined with mindfulness practices, helps children and teens build emotional regulation while forming meaningful connections with animals and peers. Horses, known for their calm and reflective nature, naturally mirror emotions, allowing participants to safely explore and process difficult feelings through guided interaction. Smaller farm animals—such as sheep, rabbits, goats, and chickens—support the development of impulse control, empathy, and compassion.

Update January 9, 2026:
We are currently working on setting our dates for our Spring Mindfulness with Animals sessions. To be made aware of when we open for registration follow us on Facebook or email registrar@circlerranch.ca

Youth Mindfulness Programs Spring 2026

  • A young child smiling and holding a small brown rabbit wrapped in a blue fleece blanket.

    Mindful Pals

    (Ages 4-6)
    One – 2 hour Saturday Session
    Dates: Coming Soon!
    Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
    Price: $100 + HST

  • A girl hugging a brown horse with a blonde mane in a wooded area.

    Mindful Partners

    (Ages 7-9)
    One – 2 hour Saturday Session
    Dates: Coming Soon!
    Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
    Price: $100 + HST

  • A smiling woman with glasses holding a small dark animal, likely a rabbit, in her hands. She is wearing a blue T-shirt and has tattoos on her arms. There are two young girls smiling in the foreground, one of whom is looking up at her. The background shows a fenced outdoor area with greenery.

    Mindful Leaders

    (Ages 10-13) 
    One – 2 hour Saturday Session
    Dates: Coming Soon!
    Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
    Price: $100 + HST

Register here

The Value of Animal & Equine Facilitated Mindfulness

Working with horses requires children to stay present and attentive. By observing and responding to a horse’s subtle cues, children and teens build awareness, problem-solving skills, and emotional insight. Through guided group activities with horses and peers, participants develop confidence, cooperation, and practical strategies for managing anxiety, anger, and other challenging emotions.

Benefits Include:

  • Improved focus and concentration

  • Increased self-awareness, confidence, and self-acceptance

  • Reduced anxiety and stress

  • Stronger emotional, social, and physical self-regulation

  • Improved communication skills

  • Greater ability to recognize and shift difficult emotions

  • Better sleep quality

Many children and teens face ongoing emotional challenges due to everyday stress, including anxiety, mood swings, aggression, and feelings of disconnection. Research and experience at Circle R Ranch show that animal- and equine-facilitated mindfulness programs can meaningfully support emotional well-being and resilience.

Facilitated by Sherry-lynne Kirschner and Joan Russell

About the Program:

This program combines mindfulness practices with animal- and equine-facilitated learning to support calm focus, emotional regulation, and connection.

Mindfulness Practices

  • Mindful movement and gentle yoga with horses and farm animals

  • Breathing techniques for relaxation and self-regulation

  • Sensory awareness activities

  • Visualization and relaxation exercises

  • “Heartfulness” practices, including gratitude and loving-kindness meditations

Animal-Facilitated Learning

  • Sensory walks with animal partners

  • Grooming to build trust and connection

  • Buddy breathing with horses or farm animals

  • Individual and group challenges, including obstacle courses with equine partners

Children grooming and caring for ponies at a farm or petting zoo, with a wooden fence, trees, and a seating area with people in the background.
A handmade sign asking if you notice your body, heart, and mind, displayed next to children's books about self-awareness and self-love, on a wooden surface behind a chain-link fence.
Two rabbits in a cage with straw bedding, blankets, and a white plastic container, against a background of green foliage.
Two children sitting inside a small animal enclosure, facing away from the camera, with bubbles floating around them. The child on the left has dark hair and is wearing a dark jacket with a name tag that says 'Albert'. The child on the right has curl
A man and two young girls sitting on chairs inside a fenced outdoor area, each holding a white rabbit wrapped in blue blankets. Behind them are educational posters about emotions and mindfulness, with happy, calm, and anxious face illustrations.
A young woman in a red hoodie and pink skirt holding a white rabbit wrapped in a blue blanket outside near a chain-link fence.
Four children walking with a pony in a fenced outdoor area, with horses in the background on a sunny day.
A young girl in a black jacket and glasses is kneeling on the grass, feeding a goat at a farm or petting zoo. Other children are in the background near a red barn, with trees and a blue sky above.
A girl in a pink hoodie and patterned pants is painting a heart on a horse's side with a small paintbrush. The girl holds a wooden palette with three colors of paint, and the horse is standing outdoors near a wooden fence with leafless trees in the b
A young girl with red hair and a red necklace smiling while holding a small, fluffy, light-colored puppy wrapped in a blue blanket.

“Watching my child find calm and interact with the animals at Circle R was mind-blowing. At the end of the session they were happier and had tools to navigate hard feelings.”

— parent